THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 42

Author

Howard Hockin
May 30, 2025

Hello, and welcome to Issue 42 of the 93:20 Newsletter, soon to be in book-form, which you may or may not be interested in. The first issue of the summer, and on the day a drought is announced in the North West of England, as rain bounces off my windows. As always, a mixed bag for this week, with random thoughts, and the dreaded revisit of the 93:20 family pre-season predictions. Read them and weep!

(or just laugh)

Off we go.

And so the season finally ends, one that was something of a drag. Bizarrely, as the full-time whistle shrilled, I felt a wave of pathos at the realisation that the season was over. A difficult season, that I had been praying to end for months. And yet here I was, already missing it all, three seconds after it had finished. I guess that despite all the nerves, stress and doubt it provides in my life, I need it. Even in a difficult season, it provides more ups than downs. And more bizarrely, I am more ready for the break after a successful season. Make it make sense.

Anyway, this “terrible” team finished 3rd, and are top of the table for 2025. Could be worse, eh United fans? Still, they're happy too. Amorim did finally win again, and fell to a plucky 1-0 defeat as they embark on a post-season tour to recoup some of the many millions they have lost out on by being consistently crap.

The last day of the season was thankfully as stress-free as we could have hoped for, and I can finally move on from that Southampton game. Aston Villa fans probably feel a tad more enraged by proceedings, as they were dealt a pretty bad hand. Newcastle United have really dodged a bullet.

That Martinez red card inevitably brought back thoughts of the FA Cup final. Hojlund was moving away from goal. Also, it was Hojlund. He could have karate kicked him on the line, I'd still argue it wasn't denying a goal scoring opportunity, but sadly for Villa, the prowess of the player in question is not taken into account when making a decision.

Later in the week, and Chelsea fans were celebrating “winning it all” by securing the clean sweep of European trophies, which is like City fans celebrating winning the Auto Windscreens Trophy after plummeting down the leagues. Or a Community Shield.

There was more good news during the week, with the devastating news (stop laughing at the back) that Rio Ferdinand was leaving TNT Sports. What a devastating loss to the footballing community.

But if you wanted proof of how out of touch some of our media are, consider this tweet from John Cross at the Mirror:

Rio Ferdinand to step away from his role with TNT Sports after the Champions League final on Saturday. One of the most respected and most recognisable faces on the screen.

Respected, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

I don’t think I have ever known anyone who thought his co-commentary was anything other than an embarrassment, a clearly biased United fanboy with nothing of interest to say, like many co-commentators. He will not be missed by anyone.

There’s no more putting it off.

It’s that time of year, time to humiliate myself and others in the 93:20 family, as we revisit our pre-season predictions. The “I” in the write-up is me, Howard, to avoid any confusion. Bet you thought this newsletter was produced by AI – well, you’re wrong!

Who will win the league?

I’m surprised I said this, but I tipped Arsenal for the league. “Partly through pessimism, and the idea that every consecutive title makes the next one even harder.” I was worried that the squad would not have the relentlessness to go for a 5th time, and for a change, I was right on that. Chris, Ally and Ste also went for Arsenal, as did George’s head (but not his heart). Everyone else went for City as expected, and we were all wrong in the end.

Who will make up the remainder of the top 4?

Let’s call out those that picked United – me, Chris, and…erm, that’s it. Shame on us. But it’s a tradition of mine to state that United will come good, and long may it continue. Though even I won’t be tipping them come August, unless they win the transfer window yet again.

 Still, you could have done worse and tipped Spurs instead. Which is precisely what Lloyd, Will and Ahsan did. So close. Only one person failed to pick at least three correct sides, and it would be unfair of me to name Will as that person.

Gold stars for Ben, Ally and Ste for picking the top 4 teams, if not in the right order.

Who will be relegated?

It’s time to call out the Nottingham Forest backers, whose prediction could be considered a tad off-kilter. Step forward Howard, Chris, Ally, Ste, George and Ben.

Credit to Lloyd for calling the three promoted sides to go down. If only he’d left it there……

Lloyd: 18th: Ipswich, 19th: Saints, 20th: Leicester. I think we’ll see the three promoted clubs go down again, which is a slightly worrying precedent to be honest. But the usual stragglers (Everton, Wolves, Brentford) should have enough in my opinion. Except maybe Forest. I could see Nuno (or Ten Haag!) being the first manager sacked.

Ally and Ste added Fulham to their Forest relegation choices. Bravo!

Top scorer of players not called Haaland. 

Lloyd and Will picking Solanke was bolshy, and never close to happening. Me and Ahsan were the only two to pick Salah, with Isak understandably getting a few picks.

Total number of goals for Haaland (all competitions).

According to Stat City it is 30, and unsurprisingly, everyone went higher than that. Haaland had 9 goals after 4 games, but as we know, did not sustain that form. Lloyd was the closest with 40. Will and Ahsan predicted 50.

Team that will surprisingly struggle?

I almost dug myself out of trouble with this answer. Almost.

Howard: Well, I’ve tipped Nottingham Forest for the drop, so does that count? Can’t say I tip them with much conviction though, as they may surprise a few people, me included. God I’m indecisive.

Chris nailed it with Tottenham.

There were signs at the end of Postecoglou’s first (very much honeymoon) season that he was becoming frustrated with some players’ attitudes. Will he have the squad that he needs to fulfil his plans? Will teams be better equipped against his tactics second time around? It is possible that they will stagnate, or even go backwards. Either outcome would be a surprise.

Lloyd and Ahsan picked Villa, and Will is not going to thank me for mentioning his pick of Liverpool. Brighton, West Ham and Brentford also got mentions. Ally’s pick of West Ham was spot on.

Team that will overperform?

Chris on fire, noting Liverpool. Ally less so, picking Southampton, and Ahsan picking West Ham. In this year’s least surprising news, Lloyd was one of three to pick Crystal Palace.

Premier League Player of the Season?

I confidently predicted that no City player would be allowed to win again, which was not really an issue in the end. My pick of Odegaard never looked realistic. Lloyd picked Rodri and thus cursed him. No one picked Salah, or any Liverpool player. Haaland, De Bruyne and Foden all got picked, and Ally’s Declan Rice pick was a sensible, but not successful, one.

FA Cup Winners?

Look away now. I picked Newcastle, so go the wrong cup. Lloyd, Ahsan and George went for City, and should have been right. No one picked Palace, unsurprisingly.

Champions League winner?

Plenty of City calls, and Real Madrid were in the conversation, but no one picked either of this weekend’s finalists.

First manager to be sacked?

That man was no other than Eric Ten Hag on 28th October, with hilarious consequences. No one picked Ten Hag, though Lloyd gets a consolation point for mentioning the possibility twice in his answers. My choice of Steve Cooper was not far behind, and George called Russell Martin. Pretty much everyone else picked Nuno Espirito Santo. Oops.

Signing of the summer so far.

I picked Savinho, as it felt like a bargain, and hopefully still will in the long-term. Will, Ahsan, Ally and Ste also had him as their choice. Riccardo Calafiori got a couple of shouts, along with Minteh, Hall, Maatsen and Onana (the Villa one). My other choice of Niclas Füllkrug did not pan out.

Worst signing of summer so far. 

Like a stopped clock, I am occasionally right, and nailed it with Emile Smith Rowe, who Chris also picked. Also nailing it with Zirkzee were Ben and George. Ally chose Solanke, who hardly excelled, Ahsan chose De Ligt and Will chose Pedro Neto.

Pep’s final year?

I’m glad to report everyone said no.

Which City player will have a stand out season?

I went big on Rico Lewis, but it wasn’t to be. Bobb got multiple votes, the predictions sent in mere days before his season was effectively ended. Ben, Ally and Ste went for Savinho, and George had kind words for Doku.

Give me your left-field crazy prediction for the season.

I don’t think my predictions were entirely serious.

Howard: There will be a club-led revolution against the Premier League, excluding the old status quo, naturally. Not sure if it will involve violence and marches on the capital, but an implosion is near. And not just because City will be exonerated.

Also, after City are exonerated, Miguel Delaney and Nick Harris will issue a joint statement announcing that they had “got it all wrong” with City, offer their humble apologies, and wish them well for the future, before ripping off their clothes to show that they had had the City crest tattooed on their arse cheeks (both). A touching and cathartic moment at Pep’s pre-match press conference.

To be fair, no one had much luck with their predictions, though Chris said that VAR would reach a threshold, but that may be true of every season. Lloyd predicted Ipswich to do well, Will predicted a City Treble, Ahsan for Palace to finish Top 6 (if they had started better…), Be thought Newcastle would lose patience with Howe, Ste expected Ipswich to be in Top 4 until October, and George thought the league would have the smallest points gap between 1st and 20th in Premier League history. Southampton scuppered that one. As for Ally - Ange Postecoglu walks out in a strop before Christmas. He was pretty stroppy, mate.

You can see the full predictions here:
https://ninetythreetwenty.com/blog/predict/

And so the final game of the season awaits this weekend, as Inter take on PSG. I would like Inter to win, as I feel they have earned it, but let’s be honest, surely we are all Team PSG, safe in the knowledge that it would ruin Miguel Delaney’s weekend.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

THE 93:20 REVIEW:- THE LAST DANCE

Ste, Howard and Ahsan look back on the win at Fulham, how the day panned out, jeopardy, the future and more.

THE MARKET:- EPISODE 37

Lloyd is joined by Ahsan to look at all the latest transfer rumours around City, and also talk a little bit about Guardiola’s coaching staff reshuffle.

THE HUB:- EPISODE 34

Jon Mackenzie joins Bailey to discuss the issues City had out of possession over the last couple of seasons, the impact of Omar Marmoush, and how much it depends on personnel v system.

THE WEEKEND SHOW X 2

Ste and Howard, and then Lloyd and Ahsan pair off to do two separate season review shows, after a challenging nine months, discussing it all, from nadirs to injuries, Pep frustration, recruitment, legal issues, youth, the future and much more besides! Two huge shows….

If you are not a subscriber to our player shows, then enjoy some free samples of what we are about. Every show we do will have a 15 minutes sample on Soundcloud, along with a full, free weekly Friday show, jam- packed with content. Give it a try!